GALLERY: Experience PRS 2011

Headlining the Thursday night concert was the Al Di Meola band. Al played his signature Prism PRS guitar and wowed the audience with his blazing technique. Watch our video of the performance at premierguitar.com/video.

Frederik │kesson of Opeth lets loose on his signature SE model during their set.

"Miles Schon (Neal's son) performed on Friday night and impressed the audience with his cover of Hendrix's ""Fire."""

Experience PRS favorite Donna Grantis brought her brand of Canadian blues-rock to the stage on Friday night.

The attendees were also allowed to try their hand at staining. Here are a few of the attempts drying before going home.

This pickup is finished and ready to be installed.

"Dave Weiner, who also does time in Steve Vai's band, reached for his DC3 for a cover of Hendrix's ""Wait Until Tomorrow."""

"The highlight of Saturday afternoon was David Grissom and Davy Knowles performance on the clinic stage. The set featured tunes from both artists and ended with Grissom's ""What Passes for Love."""

"Daath guitarist Emil Werstler showed off his PRS during his take on Billy Cobham's ""Stratus."""

Closing out the Saturday night show was Swedish prog-metal group Opeth. Frontman Mikael │kerfeldt made some heads turn with his signature SE model.

The performances are always a highlight of Experience PRS events. Thursday night opened up with bluegrass picker Cody Kilby performing a set of duets with Ricky Skaggs. Watch our videos of the performance at premierguitar.com/video.

"The big news around Experience PRS 2011 was the new line of SE amps. They are available in 20-, 30-, and 50-watt versions and as either a head or combo. All of the amps feature two channels, an effects loop, and reverb. Each amp uses a different set of power tubes with the SE 20 using 6V6s, the SE 30 using 5881s, and the SE 50 sporting EL34s. Prices will range from $799 to $1049, depending on the model. Watch our demo of the amps at premierguitar.com/video."

Paul Reed Smith asks the guitarists from Opeth a question during their afternoon clinic.

Coleman happily accepts his gift.

Marcus Garner walks us through his process for sanding the body of the guitar.

"Based on the Studio model, the Swamp Ash Studio features PRS' 57/07 Narrowfield pickups in the middle and neck positions with a 57/08 in the bridge. The swamp ash body has a bolt-on figured maple neck with the PRS bird inlays. Orders will be accepted until October 14th. "

"British blues guitarist Davy Knowles talk about ""Ellie,"" his #1 guitar that previously was Paulуs personal guitar. Davy told the crowd with a smile that he рnicked itс from Paul. Davy's Ellie was a prototype and the beginning of the Paul's 28 and Violin guitars."

"PRS also expanded its acoustic offerings with this SE Angelus model. The SE Angelus will be available in both Standard and Custom models. The Standard model will include mahogany back and sides, solid mahogany neck, and a rosewood fretboard and bridge. The Custom model features rosewood back and sides with an ebony fretboard and bridge. Both are pure acoustic instruments, but PRS plans to introduce models with electronics in early 2012. The MAP for the Standard is $650 and the Custom is $750. Watch our demo of the guitar at premierguitar.com/video."

"All the pickups that are made in the factory go through one of these two machines. The machine on the left is nicknamed ""Guido"" and the one on the right is ""Betsy."""

"Throughout the weekend, attendees wandered through every inch of the PRS factory and were able to see some products in various stages of completion. Here, you can see the final stages of wiring for a 2-channel ""H"" series amp. "

"One of PRS' most recognizable endorsers, David Grissom, takes a solo during his afternoon set with Davy Knowles on his signature DGT guitar."

"One of the most touching moments of the weekend happened when Paul Reed Smith brought up Robert Lee Coleman, former guitarist for Percy Sledge and James Brown, to present him with a Hollowbody II. It was the first guitar that had ever been given to Coleman and he asked Paul to sign it for him. "

"During Experience '11, PRS also introduced a few limited edition electric models. This is the ""Stripped"" 58 in an Eriza Verde finish. It has a maple top with a mahogany back and neck, 57/08 pickups and PRS' newer 2-piece bridge and Phase III locking tuners. Orders will be accepted for this guitar until October 14th. "

A very young fan checks out Mikael's signature SE model.

"The PRS band featuring Davy Knowles blew the roof off the tent with a cover of ""Fiyo on the Bayou."" Watch our video of the performance at premierguitar.com/video."

PRS employees were on hand to demonstrate and walk through each step of the construction process.

Since attending a Dave Matthews Band concert as a teenager, Jason has been into all things guitar. An Iowa native, Jason has degrees in Music Business from Minnesota State-Mankato and Jazz Pedagogy from the University of Northern Iowa. Since then, he has spent time doing everything from promotion at an indie music label to organizing guitar workshops all over the country. Currently, Jason lives with his wife, son, and daughter in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

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